LS Engine Swaps: More Than Just the Motor

Thinking about doing an LS engine swap? It’s easy to get caught up in building or modifying the engine and choosing a transmission, but what about the parts you need to actually install the drivetrain? The factory stuff in the recipient vehicle won’t work—you’re going to need things like motor mounts, transmission crossmembers, headers, an oil pan, and a radiator.

Summit Racing has taken a lot of the guesswork out of choosing many of the conversion parts you’ll need. Its tech experts have put together lists of major components for several popular GM cars and truck. They even made a list to help you stuff an LS in a Fox-body Mustang, which is a thing in drag racing now.

These are not all-inclusive lists—you’ll still need to source things like hose and fuel lines, wiring, accessory drives, and other items. Summit Racing can help you with those, too. And if you are planning an LS swap in a street rod or another vehicle not listed here, a Summit Racing rep will be happy to guide you through the parts process.

1955-57 Chevy LS Conversion Parts List

TRD-4199 Trans-Dapt Engine Swap Motor Mount
DCK-12564 Danchuk Transmission Crossmember, GM automatic transmission
DCK-1003 Danchuk Transmission Crossmember End Brackets
DCK-977A Danchuk Transmission Mount, rubber
HLY-302-1 Holley LS Retro Fit Oil Pan, 5 1/2 quart
DOU-D311 Doug’s Headers Shorty Headers, ceramic coated, 1 7/8” primaries
BCI-62121 Be Cool Direct-Fit Radiator with automatic transmission cooler
AEI-18499 Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tank, 16 gallon, 90 GPH electric fuel pump

NOTES

Danchuk transmission crossmember will not work on convertible models
To install a five- or six-speed manual, use Danchuk crossmember kit DCK-12197, available by special order from Summit Racing
For manual transmission swaps use Be Cool Direct-Fit Radiator BCI-60121

1967-69 Chevy Camaro/Pontiac Firebird LS Conversion Parts List

SUM-7731100 Summit Adjustable LS Conversion Engine Mounts
SUM-770312 Summit Transmission Crossmember, automatic transmission
TRD-6518 Trans-Dapt Transmission Crossmember, T-56 six-speed
NAL-19212593 Chevrolet Performance Musclecar Oil Pan, 5 quart
KOK-29302401 Kooks Long-Tube Headers, stainless steel, 1 7/8″ primaries
SUM-380340 Summit Performance Fit Radiator with automatic transmission cooler
SUM-384068 Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator, no trans cooler
SUM-384068-KIT1 Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator with Electric Fans and Shroud
AEI-18457 Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tank for 1967-68, 18 gallon
AEI-18458 Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tank for 1969, 18 gallon

NOTES

The Summit Performance Fit Radiator SUM-380340 will require modifications to the core support
Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator SUM-384068-KIT1 comes with two 10” electric fans and an aluminum fan shroud
Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tanks come with a 90 GPH in-tank electric fuel pump

1968-72 GM A-Body Driveline Conversion Parts List

DOU-SK100 Doug’s Headers Engine Swap Motor Mount Kit
AWR-XFGM10801 American Powertrain X-Factor Transmission Crossmember
NAL-19212593 Chevrolet Performance Musclecar Oil Pan, 5 quart
DOU-D3336 Doug’s Full-Length Headers, ceramic-coated, 1 3/4” primaries
GRI-8-00008-LS Griffin Performance Fit Radiator, no transmission cooler
GRI-8-70008-LS Griffin Performance Fit Radiator with transmission cooler
AEI-18404 Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tank, 1968-69 , 17 gallon
AEI-18402 Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tank, 1970-72 , 17 gallon

NOTES

American Powertrain X-Factor Transmission Crossmember will not fit convertibles or cars with boxed frame rails. Use Energy Suspension ENS-3-1108G or ENS-3-1108R transmission mount
Some modifications will be needed to install either Griffin Performance Fit Radiator
Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tanks come with a 90 GPH in-tank electric fuel pump

1978-88 GM A- and G-Body LS Conversion Parts List

ICB-551628 ICT Billet Adjustable Motor Mount Adapters
SUM-770301 Summit Transmission Crossmember, automatic transmission
SUM-770305 Summit Transmission Crossmember, T-56 six-speed
NAL-19212593 Chevrolet Performance Musclecar Oil Pan, 5 quart
HED-45010 Hedman Husler LS Engine Swap Hedders, 1 3/4” primaries
SUM-384064 Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator, no trans cooler
GRI-8-70008-LS Griffin Performance Fit Radiator with automatic transmission cooler
AEI-18451 Aeromotive GEN II Stealth Fuel Tank, 17 gallon, 90 GPH electric fuel pump

NOTES

Summit Transmission Crossmembers will require Summit Frame Extension SUM-770307 for 1978-84 models
Griffin Performance Fit Radiator will require core support modifications to install

1973-87 Chevy/GMC C10 LS Conversion Parts List

SUM-7731100 Summit Adjustable LS Conversion Engine Mounts
HOK-12646HKR Hooker LS Engine Swap Transmission Crossmember
HOK-12645HKR Hooker Transmission Crossmember Extension Bracket
NAL-19212593 Chevrolet Performance Musclecar Oil Pan, 5 quart
SCH-1302LS1 Schoenfeld Full-Length Headers, 1 3/4″ primaries
SUM-384078-KIT1 Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator and Fan Combo
BCI-63213 Be Cool Direct-Fit Radiator with automatic transmission cooler
SNE-19-154 Holley Sniper EFI Conversion Fuel Tank, 16 gallon, 1973-81 short bed
SNE-19-155 Holley Sniper EFI Conversion Fuel Tank, 20 gallon, 1973-81 long bed
SNE-19-156 Holley Sniper EFI Conversion Fuel Tank, 16 gallon, 1982-87 short bed
SNE-19-157 Holley Sniper EFI Conversion Fuel Tank, 20 gallon, 1982-87 long bed

NOTES

Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator and Fan Combo comes with two 13” electric fans and an aluminum fan shroud. Radiator does not have a transmission cooler
Holley Sniper EFI Conversion Fuel Tanks come with a 67 GPH in-tank electric fuel pump

1979-93 Ford Mustang LS Conversion Parts List

AJE-MU40UM AJE Suspension Tubular K-Member
AJE-AJE-30 AJE Suspension Motor Mounts
AJE-MU-7051 AJE Suspension Transmission Crossmember, GM TH-400 and T-56
AJE-MU-7052 AJE Suspension Transmission Crossmember, GM 4L60E
HLY-302-1 Holley LS Retrofit Oil Pan, 5 ½ quart
KOK-10801200 Kooks Full-Length Headers, 1 3/4” primaries
FLA-FR1504PLP Flaming River Steering Shaft
SUM-384060 Summit Pro LS Conversion Radiator, no transmission cooler
AEI-11540 Aeromotive Stealth In-Tank Fuel Pump, 90 GPH

NOTES

Kooks Full-Length Headers available by special order at Summit Racing
Flaming River Steering Shaft is a low profile design for added header clearance. Fits power rack and pinion steering